GEORGE TOWN: A Grab driver claimed trial at the Sessions Court here today to raping an 11-year-old girl three years ago.
Teh Kim Huat, 49, made the plea after the charge was read to him before Judge Wan Azmah Yaacob.
He was alleged to have raped the girl, now 14 and has since stopped schooling, at a house in Jalan Kedidi, Sungai Ara, Bayan Lepas here back in 2015.
He was charged under Section 376(1) of the Penal Code which carries maximum 20 years imprisonment and caning upon conviction.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Farah Aimy Zainul prosecuted while Teh was unrepresented.
Earlier, Farah Aimy urged the court not to grant bail. Teh, however, requested for a lower bail, saying he has two young children to look after.
Wan Azmah set the bail at RM10,000 in one surety and fixed Dec 20 for mention and to enable the accused to appoint a lawyer.
On Oct 31, the NST reported that police detained a 49-year-old man on suspicion of raping a minor three years ago.
Southwest district police chief Superintendent A.A. Anbalagan said the suspect was detained after the victim’s family members lodged a police report.
Anbalagan had said the victim’s family members had managed to identify the suspect recently.
A video footage of the man being scolded by the victim’s family members has since made its rounds on WhatsApp.